Lifting method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

A lifting apparatus and method. The lifting apparatus comprising a lower bar assembly, an upper frame assembly, and a plurality of straps. The lower bar assembly comprises a first bar and a second bar. The upper frame assembly comprises a first upper frame bar, a second upper frame bar substantially parallel to the first upper frame bar, and a cross piece connecting the first upper frame bar to the second upper frame bar and substantially perpendicular to the first upper frame bar and the second upper frame bar. The plurality of straps are fixedly attached to the lower bar assembly and slidably attached to the upper frame assembly.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION 1. Field

The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods forlifting and moving objects. More particularly, the present disclosurerelates to a system and method for lifting relatively large, heavy, andirregularly shaped objects, such as internal components for an aircraft.

2. Background

Various aircraft components may be relatively big, heavy, and awkward tomove. For example, without limitation, such components may include anaircraft closet, a crew rest, or other components for the interior orexterior of an aircraft. Such components may weigh in excess of severalhundred pounds.

Currently, it may require three or more human operators to lift and movelarge aircraft components. Such components may be odd shaped and awkwardto carry. Therefore, extra caution must be used to prevent injuries whensuch components are lifted and moved manually.

Various machines may be used to lift large and heavy objects. Afork-lift is an example of one such machine that may be used to lift andmove such objects. However, care must be taken to secure the object tobe lifted to the machine so that the object does not fall from themachine while being lifted or moved. Securing an object to a machine forlifting and movement by tying the object to the machine using ropes orother devices in a conventional manner may be time-consuming. Securingespecially large and irregular objects to a machine for movementrequires particular skill and may be particularly time-consuming.

Therefore, there may be a need for a method and apparatus that take intoaccount at least some of the issues discussed above, as well as otherpossible issues.

SUMMARY

In one illustrative embodiment, a lifting apparatus comprises a lowerbar assembly, an upper frame assembly, and a plurality of straps. Theplurality of straps are fixedly attached to the lower bar assembly andslidably attached to the upper frame assembly.

In another illustrative embodiment, a lifting apparatus comprises alower bar assembly, an upper frame assembly, and a plurality of straps.The lower bar assembly comprises a first lower bar and a second lowerbar. The upper frame assembly comprises a first upper frame bar, asecond upper frame bar substantially parallel to the first upper framebar, and a cross piece connecting the first upper frame bar to thesecond upper frame bar and substantially perpendicular to the firstupper frame bar and the second upper frame bar. The plurality of strapsare fixedly attached to the lower bar assembly and slidably attached tothe upper frame assembly.

In yet another illustrative embodiment, a method of lifting a payloadcomprises placing a lower bar assembly under the payload. An upper frameassembly is placed over the payload. A plurality of straps are slidablyattached to the upper frame assembly. The plurality of straps arefixedly attaching to the lower bar assembly. The payload is lifted bypulling upward on the straps to hold the payload between the lower barassembly and the upper frame assembly while the payload is being lifted.

The features and functions can be achieved independently in variousembodiments of the present disclosure or may be combined in yet otherembodiments in which further details can be seen with reference to thefollowing description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the illustrativeembodiments are set forth in the appended claims. The illustrativeembodiments, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, furtherobjectives, and features thereof, will best be understood by referenceto the following detailed description of one or more illustrativeembodiments of the present disclosure when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a block diagram of a lifting apparatus inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a perspective view of a lifting apparatusand a payload in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a side view of a lifting apparatus and apayload being lifted by a lifting device in accordance with anillustrative embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a perspective view of a lower bar for alifting apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a perspective view in detail of one end ofthe lower bar illustrated in FIG. 4 in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a perspective view of an upper frameassembly for a lifting apparatus in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment; and

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a flowchart diagram of a method of liftinga payload in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrative embodiments recognize and take into account differentconsiderations. For example, the illustrative embodiments provide forsafely lifting large, awkward components by a single operator. Theapparatus comprises an upper frame, a pair of lower beams, and aplurality of straps fixed to the lower beams and slidably coupled to theupper frame. A payload is held between the lower beams and the upperframe when the straps are pulled upward to lift the payload.

Turning to FIG. 1, an illustration of a block diagram of a liftingapparatus is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.Lifting apparatus 100 may be configured to lift and move payload 102.Payload 102 may comprise any appropriate object of any appropriate sizeand shape. For example, without limitation, payload 102 may comprise acomponent for an aircraft, such as an aircraft closet, a crew rest, orother components for the interior or exterior of an aircraft.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment, lifting apparatus 100comprises upper frame assembly 104 and lower bar assembly 106. Lower barassembly 106 comprises lower bar 108 and lower bar 110. Lower bar 108may be referred to as a first lower bar. Lower bar 110 may be referredto as a second lower bar.

Straps 112 may be fixedly attached to lower bar 108 in lower barassembly 106 and slidably attached to upper frame assembly 104. Straps114 may be fixedly attached to lower bar 110 in lower bar assembly 106and slidably attached to upper frame assembly 104.

Upper ends of straps 112 and straps 114 may be attached to liftingdevice 120. Lifting device 120 may comprise any appropriate device orsystem for lifting upward on straps 112 and straps 114. For example,without limitation, lifting device 120 may comprise a crane or otherappropriate device or system.

In operation, payload 102 is positioned between lower bar assembly 106and upper frame assembly 104. By pulling upward on straps 112 and straps114 by lifting device 120, upper frame assembly 104 is forced downwardagainst payload 102 to secure payload 102 in lifting apparatus 100 aspayload 102 is moved by lifting apparatus 100.

Stop 122 may be provided on each of straps 112 and straps 114. Stop 122may comprise any structure attached to straps 112 and straps 114 toprevent straps 112 and straps 114 from sliding through upper frameassembly 104 so as to become separated from upper frame assembly 104.For example, without limitation, upper frame assembly 104 may be liftedand moved by lifting device 120 without lower bar assembly 106 andpayload 102 by disconnecting straps 112 and straps 114 from lower barassembly 106 and lifting upward on straps 112 and straps 114 until stop122 engages upper frame assembly 104.

The illustration of lifting apparatus 100 in FIG. 1 is not meant toimply physical or architectural limitations to the manner in whichillustrative embodiments may be implemented. Other components, inaddition to or in place of the ones illustrated, may be used. Somecomponents may be optional. Also, the blocks are presented to illustratesome functional components. One or more of these blocks may be combined,divided, or combined and divided into different blocks when implementedin an illustrative embodiment.

Turning to FIG. 2, an illustration of a perspective view of a liftingapparatus and a payload is depicted in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment. Lifting apparatus 200 may be an example of oneimplementation of lifting apparatus 100 shown in block form in FIG. 1.In this example, lifting apparatus 200 is shown lifting payload 202 ontoor off of transportation device 204. For example, without limitation,transportation device 204 may be any appropriate device that isconfigured for moving payload 202 in an assembly area or any otherappropriate environment.

Turning to FIG. 3, an illustration of a side view of a lifting apparatusand a payload being lifted by a lifting device is depicted in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment. In this example, lifting apparatus 200is shown attached to crane 300. Crane 300 may be an example of oneimplementation of lifting device 120 shown in block form in FIG. 1.

Turning to FIG. 4, an illustration of a perspective view of a lower barfor a lifting apparatus is depicted in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment. Lower bar 400 may be an example of one implementation oflower bar 108 or lower bar 110 in FIG. 1.

Lower bar 400 may comprise bar structure 402, padding 404, andattachment structure 405 for fixedly attaching lower bar 400 to straps,such as straps 112 or straps 114 shown in block form in FIG. 1. Forexample, without limitation, attachment structure 405 may comprise pin406 which is configured to be inserted and held in clevis 408.

Turning to FIG. 5, an illustration of a perspective view in detail ofone end of the lower bar illustrated in FIG. 4 is depicted in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment.

Turning to FIG. 6, an illustration of a perspective view of an upperframe assembly for a lifting apparatus is depicted in accordance with anillustrative embodiment. Upper frame assembly 600 may be an example ofone implementation of upper frame assembly 104 in FIG. 1.

Upper frame assembly 600 may comprise upper frame bar 602 and upperframe bar 604. Upper frame bar 602 may be referred to as a first upperframe bar. Upper frame bar 604 may be referred to as a second upperframe bar. Upper frame bar 602 and upper frame bar 604 may besubstantially parallel in upper frame assembly 600. Upper frame bar 602and upper frame bar 604 may be connected to each other by cross piece606 and cross piece 608. Cross piece 606 and cross piece 608 may besubstantially parallel in upper frame assembly 600.

Attachment structure 610 may be provided at each end of upper frame bar602 and upper frame bar 604 to provide a slidable connection to straps,such as straps 112 and straps 114 shown in block form in FIG. 1. Forexample, without limitation, attachment structure 610 may comprise aneye bolt that is mounted in an eye bolt insert that is inserted intoeach end of upper frame bar 602 and upper frame bar 604.

Turning to FIG. 7, an illustration of a flowchart diagram of a method oflifting a payload is depicted in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment. For example, without limitation, method 700 may be performedusing lifting apparatus 100 in FIG. 1.

Method 700 may begin by positioning the lower bar assembly of thelifting apparatus below a payload to be lifted (operation 702). Theupper frame assembly of the lifting apparatus then may be positionedabove the payload (operation 704). Straps then may be slidably attachedto the upper frame assembly and fixedly attached to the lower barassembly (operation 706). The straps then may be lifted to lift thepayload (operation 708), with the process terminating thereafter.

The flowcharts and block diagrams described herein illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems and methods according to various illustrative embodiments. Itshould be noted that the functions noted in a block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, the functions of two blocksshown in succession may be performed substantially concurrently, or thefunctions of the blocks may sometimes be performed in the reverse order,depending upon the functionality involved. Furthermore, in somealternative implementations, the functions associated with some blocksin the flowcharts and block diagrams may be eliminated.

The description of the different illustrative embodiments has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description, and is notintended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments in the formdisclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art. Further, different illustrativeembodiments may provide different features as compared to otherdesirable embodiments. The embodiment or embodiments selected are chosenand described in order to best explain the principles of the embodimentsand the practical application of such principles, and enable others ofordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for variousembodiments with various modifications as may be suited to various usesand applications.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lifting apparatus, comprising: a lower barassembly; an upper frame assembly, wherein the upper frame assemblycomprises: a first upper frame bar, wherein the first upper frame barcomprises a first attachment structure and a second attachmentstructure, wherein a first strap runs through the first attachmentstructure and is slidably attached to the upper frame assembly and asecond strap runs through the second attachment structure and isslidably attached to the upper frame assembly, wherein the first andsecond strap are both fixedly attached to the lower bar assembly, and asecond upper frame bar, wherein the second upper frame bar comprises athird attachment structure and a fourth attachment structure, wherein athird strap runs through the third attachment structure and is slidablyattached to the upper frame assembly and a fourth strap runs through thefourth attachment structure and is slidably attached to the upper frameassembly, wherein the third and fourth strap are both fixedly attachedto the lower bar assembly.
 2. The lifting apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe lower bar assembly comprises a first lower bar and a second lowerbar.
 3. The lifting apparatus of claim 1 further comprising padding onthe lower bar assembly.
 4. The lifting apparatus of claim 1, wherein theupper frame assembly comprises: the second upper frame bar substantiallyparallel to the first upper frame bar; and a cross piece connects thefirst upper frame bar to the second upper frame bar and the cross pieceis substantially perpendicular to the first upper frame bar and thesecond upper frame bar.
 5. The lifting apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising a stop on each strap configured to prevent each strap frombecoming disconnected from the upper frame assembly.
 6. The liftingapparatus of claim 1 further comprising a payload between the lower barassembly and the upper frame assembly.
 7. The lifting apparatus of claim6, wherein the payload comprises an aircraft component.
 8. A liftingapparatus, comprising: a lower bar assembly comprising a first lower barand a second lower bar; an upper frame assembly comprising a first upperframe bar, a second upper frame bar substantially parallel to the firstupper frame bar, and a cross piece connecting the first upper frame barto the second upper frame bar and substantially perpendicular to thefirst upper frame bar and the second upper frame bar; wherein the firstupper frame bar comprises a first attachment structure and a secondattachment structure, wherein a first strap runs through the firstattachment structure and is slidably attached to the upper frameassembly and a second strap runs through the second attachment structureand is slidably attached to the upper frame assembly, wherein the firstand second strap are both fixedly attached to the lower bar assembly;and wherein the second upper frame bar comprises a third attachmentstructure and a fourth attachment structure, wherein a third strap runsthrough the third attachment structure and is slidably attached to theupper frame assembly and a fourth strap runs through the fourthattachment structure and is slidably attached to the upper frameassembly, wherein both the third and fourth strap are both fixedlyattached to the lower bar assembly.
 9. The lifting apparatus of claim 8further comprising padding on the lower bar assembly.
 10. The liftingapparatus of claim 8 further comprising a stop on each strap configuredto prevent each strap from becoming disconnected from the upper frameassembly.
 11. The lifting apparatus of claim 8 further comprising apayload between the lower bar assembly and the upper frame assembly. 12.The lifting apparatus of claim 11, wherein the payload comprises anaircraft component.
 13. A method of lifting a payload, comprising:placing a lower bar assembly under the payload; placing an upper frameassembly over the payload, wherein the upper frame assembly comprises afirst upper frame bar and a second upper frame bar, wherein the firstupper frame bar comprises a first attachment structure and a secondattachment structure, wherein a first strap runs through the firstattachment structure and is slidably attached to the upper frameassembly and a second strap slidably runs through the second attachmentstructure and is slidably attached to the upper frame assembly, whereinthe second upper frame bar comprises a third attachment structure and afourth attachment structure, wherein a third strap runs through thethird attachment structure and is slidably attached to the upper frameassembly and a fourth strap runs through the fourth attachment structureand is slidably attached to the upper frame assembly; fixedly attachingeach strap to the lower bar assembly; and pulling upward on each strapto hold the payload between the lower bar assembly and the upper frameassembly and lift the payload.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein thelower bar assembly comprises a first lower bar and a second lower bar.15. The method of claim 14 further comprising padding on the first lowerbar between the first lower bar and the payload and padding on thesecond lower bar between the second lower bar and the payload.
 16. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the upper frame assembly comprises: thesecond upper frame bar substantially parallel to the first upper framebar; and a cross piece connecting the first upper frame bar to thesecond upper frame bar and substantially perpendicular to the firstupper frame bar and the second upper frame bar.
 17. The method of claim13 further comprising a stop on each strap configured to prevent eachstrap from becoming disconnected from the upper frame assembly.
 18. Themethod claim 13, wherein the payload comprises an aircraft component.19. The method of claim 13, wherein pulling upward on the strapscomprises pulling upward on the straps by a crane.